Dog responding to handler command

Basic Narcotic Detection Course (#50008):
Course Description: Newly hired officers begin their training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) where they are trained in inspection and control procedures, passenger and cargo facilitation, TECS, CBP Law, Non-lethal defense techniques, and firearms. Upon successful completion of these courses, the student is assigned to the CETC, is assigned two dogs and is trained in all aspects of animal behavior along with handling, training, and employing a positive response detector dog. Dogs are taught to detect heroin, cocaine, marijuana, hashish, and methamphetamine. Both the officer and dog are taught the proper search sequences when searching vehicles, aircraft, freight, luggage, mail, and premises.

Length of Training: 7 weeks at FLETC followed by 13 weeks at CETC

Prerequisites for Attendance: New or current CBP employees entering this job series.

Course Benefits: Provides the Service with a highly dependable resource for screening international arrivals for narcotics while facilitating the movement of legitimate conveyances and cargo.

Basic Narcotic Detection Course LE (#50008LE)
Course Description: The course is designed to teach state, local, and foreign law enforcement officers all aspects on handling, training, and employing a detector dog. Dogs are provided by CBP. Training is provided on a reimbursable basis. Classes are scheduled throughout the year as the need arises. Dogs are taught to detect heroin, cocaine, marijuana, hashish, and methamphetamine. Officers are taught CBP's procedures for using detector dogs to search vehicles, vessels, aircraft, freight, luggage, mail, and premises.

Length of Training: 13 weeks at CETC

Prerequisites for Attendance: Current state, local, or foreign law enforcement officers.

Course Benefits: Training assistance to state, local, and foreign law enforcement officers meshes with the Federal strategy of supply reduction and the interdiction of narcotics on a National and International level.

Passenger Processing Course (#50010)
Course Description: Newly hired officers begin their training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) where they are trained in inspection and control procedures, passenger and cargo facilitation, TECS, CBP Law, Non-lethal defense techniques, and firearms. Upon successful completion of these courses, the student is assigned to the CETC, is assigned two dogs and is trained in all aspects of animal behavior along with handling, training, and employing a positive response detector dog. Dogs are taught to detect heroin, cocaine, marijuana, hashish, and methamphetamine. Officers are taught the proper procedures for screening arriving passengers/pedestrians and their hand carried items with a detector dog. This is a passive response course. Detector dogs are trained to "sit" when responding to the odor of a narcotic.

Length of Training: 7 weeks at FLETC followed by 13 weeks at CETC

Prerequisites for attendance: New or current CBP employees entering this job series.

Course Benefits: Provides an effective deterrent against narcotics smuggling and serves the traveling public by facilitating their movement through the screening process.

Passenger Processing Course LE (#50010LE)
Course Description: This course is designed to teach state, local, and foreign law enforcement officers all aspects of handling, training, and employing a passive response detector dog. Dogs are provided by CBP. Training is provided on a reimbursable basis. Classes are scheduled throughout the year as the need arises. Dogs are taught to detect heroin, cocaine, marijuana, hashish, and methamphetamine. Officers are taught CBP's procedures for using detector dogs to screen passengers/pedestrians and their hand carried items. This is a passive response course. Dogs are trained to "sit" when responding to the odor of a narcotic.

Length of Training: 13 weeks at CETC

Prerequisites for Attendance: Current state, local, or foreign law enforcement officers.

Course Benefits: Training assistance to state, local, and foreign law enforcement officers meshes with the Federal strategy of supply reduction and the interdiction of narcotics on a National and International level.

Basic Currency Detection Course (#50008C)
Course Description: Newly hired officers begin their training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) where they are trained in inspection and control procedures, passenger and cargo facilitation, TECS, CBP Law, Non-lethal defense techniques, and firearms. Upon successful completion of these courses, the student is assigned to the CETC, is assigned two dogs and is trained in all aspects of animal behavior along with handling, training, and employing a detector dog. Dogs are taught to detect concealed U.S. currency. Both the officer and dog are taught the proper search sequences when searching vehicles, aircraft, freight, luggage, mail, passengers and premises.

Length of Training: 7 weeks at FLETC followed by 13 weeks at CETC

Prerequisites for Attendance: Newly hired or current CBP employees entering this job series, current CBP Canine Enforcement Officers.

Course Benefits: These teams provide an effective method of detecting the movement of unreported currency and serve as a measure to deny profits from the sale of illicit narcotics to major drug trafficking organizations.

Technical Trainer Course (#50008T)
Course Description: This is an advanced technical training course for first line Supervisory CBP Officer responsible for a port’s canine program, state and local police agencies, and foreign police/government officials who have completed a full course of instruction in narcotic detection dog handling techniques. Successful completion of courses #50008 of #50008LE is recommended. Training capacity is limited to approximately 1 officer per class as they assist the instructor throughout the course of training.

The objectives of this course are to train experienced officers to function as basic narcotic detector dog trainers for their units. Training includes assisting the Canine Enforcement Training Center staff of instructors in the systematic development and progression of canine teams undergoing training in either of the Basic Narcotic Detection courses. Using existing outlines, lesson plans, and text materials, officers are taught to present blocks of academic and field instruction relating to the training and proficiency of narcotic detector dogs to classes undergoing basic instruction.

Length of Instruction: 13 weeks at CETC

Prerequisites for Attendance: CBP first line Supervisory Canine Enforcement Officers, current state, local or foreign law enforcement officers with prior detector dog experience.

Course Benefits: Essential for all newly promoted Supervisory CBP Officer with canine responsibilities. The advanced technical training received in this course will enable the First Line Supervisor to identify and solve problems in canine team (both handler and dog) performance.

Administration & Technical Application Course (#50108)
Course Description: The advanced administrative course deals primarily with training principles, methodologies, maintaining proficiency, program controls, performance evaluations and certification procedures of the various canine programs. Course content is aimed at those management officials with little or no canine background. Attendees will have the opportunity to see the various stages of handler and dog development during different stages of training. This includes demonstrations of the various dog programs: positive and passive response canines and currency detector dogs. The course is designed to familiarize supervisory personnel with the proper use and training of canine teams assigned to their port.

Length of Training: 3 days at CETC

Prerequisites for Attendance: Current CBP supervisory personnel and supervisory personnel from other Federal, state, local, or foreign law enforcement agencies.

Course Benefits: This course is essential for supervisors who have no technical knowledge of the canine program but are required to supervise canine teams. The course will familiarize the supervisor with the proper methods of using canine teams in the most effective manner ensuring optimum program performance.

Further Information/Enrollment
In addition to narcotic and currency detection courses, the National CEP is currently designing and implementing detection programs that will enhance anti-terrorism efforts already in place. If you are a local, state, Federal or foreign law enforcement official and would like more information on reimbursable Canine Enforcement training opportunities, contact the National Canine Enforcement Program at (540) 631-2600.